Atox1 regulates macrophage polarization in intestinal inflammation via ROS-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation and oxidative stress play an important role in the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aimed to explore the effects of copper chaperone Antioxidant-1 (Atox1) on macrophages in a mouse model of intestinal inflammation. METHODS: A mouse model of TNBS-induced colitis was established and verified using the disease activity index. Atox1 conditional knockout mice were applied. The proportion of macrophages in colonic lamina propria mononuclear cells and ROS production were analyzed using flow cytometry. Inflammatory cytokines were measured using ELISA. Expression of macrophage M1/M2 polarization markers, p47phox, NLRP3, and Caspase-1 p20 was measured using quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: Atox1 expression was up-regulated in colon tissues of TNBS-induced colitis mice. Macrophages isolated from TNBS-induced colitis mice showed M1 polarization and nuclear translocation of Atox1. Inhibiting copper chaperone activity decreased p47phox, ROS production, and M1 polarization induced by CuCl2 in macrophages. TNBS induced up-regulation of inflammatory cytokines, M1 polarization markers, and p47phox expression in mice, an effect which was preempted by Atox1 knockout. Inflammatory cytokines and expression of M1 polarization markers, p47phox, NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20 were also increased in macrophages isolated from TNBS-induced colitis mice. These changes were alleviated in mice with Atox1 knockout. The effects of Atox1 on macrophage polarization were mediated via the ROS-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. CONCLUSION: Atox1 plays a pro-inflammatory role, promotes M1 polarization of macrophages, and increases the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines in intestinal tissue by regulating the ROS-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. Atox1 is a potential therapeutic target in IBD.

Rab5a Promotes Cytolethal Distending Toxin B-Induced Cytotoxicity and Inflammation.

The cytolethal distending toxin B subunit (CdtB) induces significant cytotoxicity and inflammation in many cell types that are involved in the pathogenesis of postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study tested the potential role of Rab small GTPase 5a (Rab5a) in the process. We tested mRNA and protein expression of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1ß [IL-1ß] and IL-6) in THP-1 macrophages by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), respectively. In the primary colonic epithelial cells, Cdt treatment induced a CdtB-Rab5a-cellugyrin association. Rab5a silencing, by target small hairpin RNAs (shRNAs), largely inhibited CdtB-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in colon epithelial cells. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Rab5a knockout also attenuated CdtB-induced colon epithelial cell death. Conversely, forced overexpression of Rab5a intensified CdtB-induced cytotoxicity. In THP-1 human macrophages, Rab5a shRNA or knockout significantly inhibited CdtB-induced mRNA expression and production of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß and IL-6). Rab5a depletion inhibited activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) signaling in CdtB-treated THP-1 macrophages. Rab5a appears essential for CdtB-induced cytotoxicity in colonic epithelial cells and proinflammatory responses in THP-1 macrophages.

Activation of 5-HT and NR2B contributes to visceral hypersensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome in rats.

The roles of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and spinal N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor 2B (NR2B) in visceral hypersensitivity were investigated. A rat model with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was established by intracolonic injections of acetic acid onpost-natal days 8-21. Rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal intact (control) group, IBS model group, Ro25-6981-treated IBS rats (Ro25-6981, a NR2B antagonist) group, amitriptyline-treated IBS rats (amitriptyline, a 5-HT antagonist) and Ro25-6981 plus amitriptyline-treated IBS rats (Ro25-6981+amitriptyline) group. The expressions of 5-HT, NR2B, 5-HT2AR, 5-HT7R, SERT, TNF-α and IL-1ß in colon, dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and hypothalamus, respectively, were measured by Immunohistochemical staining, Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR and Western blotting. Our results showed increased DRG and hypothalamus expression of 5-HT, NR2B, 5-HT2AR, 5-HT7R in IBS model group and decreased expression of those in Ro25-6981 and amitriptyline alone or both treatment groups. Moreover, SERT expression was decreased in colorectal, DRG and hypothalamus of ISB model rats, but increased by Ro25-6981 and amitriptyline alone or both treatments. Ro25-6981 and amitriptyline treatment also decreased colorectal expression of TNF-α and IL-1ß induced by IBS model. In conclusion, activation of 5-HT and NR2B may play a crucial role in visceral hypersensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome in rats.